The Alestle Vol. 74 No. 22

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THERE’S STILL WORK TO DO THIS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH page 4

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1996: 53,613

2002: 46,945 2000: 45,884

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vol. 74 no. 22

The Student Voice Since 1960

A timeline of abortion rates in Illinois and changes in state and federal policy 1998: 49,403

MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM RALLIES BEHIND GRIEVING PLAYER

2006: 46,467 2004: 43,537

Teaching assistants push to continue pay negotiations

2016: The Supreme Court ruled that Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers laws violated the 14th Amendment 2010: 41,859 2008: 47,717

2014: 38,472 2012: 43,203

2018: 42,441 2016: 38,382

DALTON BROWN copy editor

1995: 52,300

1999: 45,924

2003: 42,228

1997: 50,147

2001: 46,546

2007: 45,298 2005: 43,409

2011: 41,324 2009: 46,077

2003: Congress passed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which prohibited any physician from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion, except when necessary to save the life of the patient

2015: 39,856

ly after researching about it, and hearing and talking about it.”

Caldwell-Day’s connection to Bentley was important, because she was raised in Rush City, like Redmond. Sophomore technical theater major Tylan Mitchell of St. Louis, who also acted in the project, said Bentley was an important mentor to him.

“She knew I had a passion for Black history, Black art and things of that nature,” Mitchell said. “So we would always have conversations about Black Theatre Workshop prior [to this].”

The production’s subject matter was relatable to many of

Despite joining a union in 2019, SIUE graduate teaching assistants are still paid significantly less than their SIUC counterparts.

With TA workloads showing no sign of slowing, the Service Employees International Union looks to continue negotiations with the university on their behalf.

Allie Ouimet, a master’s in literature candidate from Hanover Park, Illinois, and a teaching assistant in the university’s Department of English Language and Literature, said her work typically extends outside of the hours in her contract.

“I have 23 students, and so with papers and creating lesson plans and attending class, I usually have about 40 or more hours a week of just grading and emailing and lesson planning and communication with my students, and then actual class, so it’s a lot,” Ouimet said.

Jerry Weinberg, dean of the SIUE Graduate School, said teaching assistant’s contracts call for far fewer hours.

“Typically, TAs are hired either as 25 percent or 50 percent of full-time, ‘full-time’ being a full week. So, at 25 percent, they should be working 10 hours per week, and at 50 percent, they should be working 20 hours per week,” Weinberg said. “During the summer, they can work more hours, but then they also get paid more.”

Weinberg said those who regularly go over their allotted hours should contact the graduate school; he said they can reach out to him at jweinbe@siue.edu and/ or take advantage of a new graduate school feedback form within the graduate school newsletter.

Even with measures in place to address TAs’ workloads, there is still work to be done concerning their pay. Ouimet said she doesn’t feel fairly compensated for the work she’s doing, especially considering the wage disparity between SIUE and SIUC. “I think it’s very unfair … we’re sister schools, so we should kind of have the same outlook and guidelines and kind of follow off of each other, and the fact that SIU Carbondale — they make so much more than us for the same work, and sometimes even less — it’s really discouraging, and it

see FILM on page 2

see UNION on page 3

2013: 40,750

2013: 1975 law requiring parental notification 48 hours before a minor received an abortion was deemed enforceable

2017: 39,329

2017: Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law allowing Medicaid to cover abortion

| Summer Bradley / The Alestle

Sourced from Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chicago Tribune, ourbodiesourselves.org and congress.gov

New house bill to repeal abortion restriction THOMAS DRAKE reporter

Illinois House Bill 1797 is meant to repeal the controversial requirement for pregnant minors to notify their legal guardian 48 hours before receiving an abortion from the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995.

Consent from the guardian isn’t needed, just a notification.

The act had a long and complicated legal battle in the process of becoming law.

The act wasn’t put into effect until July 11, 2013 when the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 was constitutional. Now

in 2021 the act is going through the process of being repealed from this new house bill.

Freshman business administration major Gage Crader from Godfrey, Illinois said that if a person is old enough, they should have the freedom to do whatever they want with their body.

“I don’t necessarily agree with abortion, but if a person is old enough to have sex to conceive a child, then they should be able to do what they want with their body,” Crader said.

Crader said one of the reasons that the Parental Notice Act is being repealed in 2021 is that younger people have a louder voice now.

“With social media and the internet, it’s easier for teenagers, like high schoolers, to get involved and in touch with the rest of the world,” Crader said.

Professor of Political Science Andrew Theising said the bill’s repeal was made possible by a transfer of power between parties.

“I should say that the bill was passed back in 1995. The Republicans controlled the House and the Senate and the governor’s office,” Theising said. “And then in 2019, we have a case where the Democrats control the House, the Senate and the governor’s office, and that’s when overturning this bill really started to gain momentum and here it’s happened in 2021.”

Other states like Colorado, Georgia, Iowa and Minnesota have similar laws requiring minors to notify their parents before having an abortion. Theising said these laws have had an effect on the number of abortions in the U.S. “The number of abortions has really been going down quite a bit, and it has probably to do [as much with] contraception as it is [does] to the restrictive laws that a lot of states have put in place,including Missouri,” Theising said.

Theising said he doesn’t see how a parental notice helps a pregnant minor. see BILL on page 3

Black Theatre Workshop returns in film EMILY STERZINGER online editor

SIUE’s Theater and Dance Department continued its annual Black Theatre Workshop this year as a series of short films, focused on the nearby city of East St. Louis. The film was uploaded in three separate parts, and the full performance will be uploaded on March 14.

The series, named ‘ESTL,’ was produced as a collaborative piece along with SIUE’s Sociology Department and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center, meant to share real experiences of those who grew up in East St. Louis. The

three short films are comprised of monologues based on real interviews, performed by students of the Theater and Dance Department.

Director of the films and SIUE alumnus Michael Watkins said he hopes this will help change public perceptions of East St. Louis. The city itself has a past of being plagued by racist violence, the effects of such being felt even a century later.

“I feel like overall, this kind of just says that East St. Louis is more than just a violent city. It’s a community that’s been hurt by so many factors,” Watkins said.

Sophomore theater performance major Troy Caldwell-Day

@thealestle

of Detroit acted in one of the films and became involved with the production by being an URCA assistant to Associate Professor of Theater Performance Kathryn Bentley, who served as the production’s artistic director.

“Everyone that you saw or will see that acted in this series all wrote the pieces that they perform,” Caldwell-Day said. “My piece, or my monologue, whichever you want to call it, it is about a particular part of East St. Louis on its south side, known as Rush City, and it’s based off an interview with Eugene Redmond [a poet who worked in East St. Louis]. It was very similar to how that city resonated with me personal-

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Alternative Spring Break includes virtual service opportunities, Metro East history modules

two features were great to listen to and they contributed to the idea of the album, Dash’s verse was boring, and I was wondering toward their volunteer hours. ment team is partnering with Mission: St. into the racial history of the Metro East. why it wasBROWN even included.

DALTON Arieanna Morris, a graduate assistant The concept of “My AgenLouis, a non-profit organization based in “Different structural policies were put copy editor da” is just as crazy as its musithe city of St. Louis. Authentic Missional into place that made it really hard, if you for the Community Engagement team, cal content.

Through its short This year’s Alternative Spring Break Practice Outreach Coordinator Kale Uzzle weren’t an upwardly mobile white person, said attendees will also benefit from a runtime, Electrabutexamines will be virtual, organizersthesay it’s a said he recognizes the challenge of doing to afford to live in good school districts in deeper understanding of the St. Louis area. perspective of the “incel,” “I think that it’s going to really show great way for students to an getin-volunteer community service in a virtual format, but this area, and the way that housing policy ternet and subculture composed of … created the St. Louis that we know to- people and educate them on aspects of St. hours learn about the Metro East that’s inspired the group to get creative. ultra-misogynistic involuntary “One of the things we’ve heard from day,” Uzzle said. “And if you grew up here, Louis that a lot of people don’t get to see while also making something to give back celibates, with songs like “M’Lathe seniors in our neighborhood is that or if you didn’t, it’s really telling once you or even think about,” Morris said. “I mean, to the community. dy” Carolyn and “Edgelord.”

In “EdgeCompton, assistant direc- this is just a time of profound loneliness get to know the history of, ‘Why does Ed- a lot of people, they hear ‘St. Louis,’ they lord,” sings, Engagement “I’m so edgy,with the and social isolation, so a couple of our col- wardsville [look] like it looks compared to think, ‘Arch, Cardinals, Blues, food,’ right? tor of Electra Community Wanna F Involvement me? Okay F you, I don’t Nobody really wants to get into redlining, Kimmel Center, said Alter- lege groups, we’ve had them write letters North City?’” need you.

Pushing me right Uzzle also said each module gives at- race, poverty, so this ASB is really going to native Spring Break is typicallytoa chance just to encourage the folks in our neightheexperience edge.” different cultures while also borhood,” Uzzle said. “One of the things tendees a chance to get hands-on — in the take a look at that side of St. Louis while to In contrast, they have plenserving the community.

While this year’s Mission: St. Louis has done a lot is just comfort of their homes — and give some- also giving people ... the educational asty of be songs depicting LGBTQ+ pect.” won’t taking place abroad, she said her gathering essentials — things that can be thing back to community members. culture in a satirical way, with |“Each Photomodule courtesy of Erica Nopanen on Unsplash This year’s Alternative Spring Break contains service comteam has made a plan she hopes attendees hard to find in a grocery store, especialsongs like “Sorry Bro (I Love ly if you have limited mobility — things ponent, so the last quarter of the module sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to get the most out of.

You)” and the title track, which culture, and the re-appropriation songs about internet hate groups, bum is sensory overload for 25 “I wasn’t sure about what the experi- like toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, and is really, ‘Hey, we’ve talked about this stuff, about noon on March 27, April 3 and makes fun of and even re-appro- of harmful LGBTQ+ prejudices, as well as LGBTQ+ culture minutes, and that might not be to we’ve been packing these ‘essentials bags.’” now to whatever degree we can get our April 10. Morris said those interested in ence could look like virtually,” Compton priates the idea of the “homosex- Electra paints an exaggerated, and society’s interpretation of some people’s tastes. However, Uzzle said for Alternative Spring hands dirty in our dorm rooms, let’s do attending should keep an eye on their said.

“I know that students and faculty and ual agenda,” with lyrics like “My intense and sometimes hilarious LGBTQ+ culture. It features if you’re looking for something email inboxes and check the Community Break, St. Louis will offer a series it,’” Uzzle said. staff are all suffering a little Zoom fatigue, agenda, Might offend ya, Out picture of theseMission: two groups.

This one new, experimental and intense, many artists, old and Compton new, and said it all Center’s GetInvolved page. of informational modules; on the hissessions are available so we wanted to make sure that whatever here flexin in my rainbow sus- war depicted in the album also has just about every genre in the give this album a listen. Engagement It will To stay updated on this year’s Altertory of poverty in the St. Louis area, one for students to attend for free, and to facwe brought to students could give [them] penders. My agenda, Will infect gets a satisfying— if not weird book. be something you didn’tnative knowSpring Break, visit the Community on the role of race in the work for justice ulty for $10.

Those interested do not have something that would be more than sitting ya, Out to getcha.” ending.

The cold truth is many peo- you wanted, and it will leave you and a final module titled “Power and Solu- to attend every session; they can pick and Engagement Center’s Facebook and Instaand listening.”

With the satirization of incel To recap, this album has ple won’t be interested. This al- wanting more.

This year, the Community Engage- tions.” Uzzle said the first module dives choose as they see fit, but each will count gram pages.

An Important Message About Gas Safety Natural gas is delivered to the University from Ameren IP through an underground piping system. It is used to provide fuel for clean, efficient heat to all campus buildings and residence halls. It is also used for hot water and food preparation.

Overview of Hazards of Pipeline and Prevention Measures Used The hazards associated with the pipeline include fires, explosions, leakage, damage to the facility, and loss of gas service. In order to prevent these incidents, the pipeline is maintained and inspected according to state and federal regulations. Facilities employees receive ongoing training to ensure the continued safe transport of natural gas to the campus.

In order to prevent damage to the pipeline due to construction excavations, SIUE participates in the one-call system known as JULIE. Within 2 days of a call for a planned excavation, SIUE will mark the location of underground gas, as well as other utility lines.

Recognizing and Responding to Gas Leaks Pure natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before gas is delivered to the SIUE campus, an odorant called mercaptan is added to give gas its distinctive odor so you can smell a leak immediately. The odorant makes the gas smell like sulfur or rotten eggs.

If you smell a faint gas odor in any campus building, notify Facilities Management at extension 3711. If the gas odor is strong and/or you hear hissing or a leaking sound, you should leave the building immediately.

If the odor is strong: • Do not use telephones, cell phones, computers or elevators.

• Do not smoke, or use a lighter, match or open flame.

• Do not operate vehicles near where the leaking gas could be.

• Do not re-enter the building to retrieve personal effects.

If you smell a strong gas smell in the air outside or you see unusual occurrences such as a high-pitched whistling or hissing sound, blowing dust, dead vegetation in a normally green area or ground fires, you may be observing signs of a leak in a natural gas line. Always use caution near an outdoor gas leak and recognize the possible hazards such as fire, ignition or explosion.

In these conditions: • Do not use any device or equipment that may generate a spark of flame.

• Do not start up or shut down motor vehicles or electrical equipment.

• Do not use a telephone or cell phone in or near the area.

In either case, notify Facilities Management at extension 3711 or call 911 after 4:30 p.m.

FILM I COVER

the individuals involved. Watkins and Caldwell-Day both said they felt an understanding for residents of East St. Louis, coming from cities where Black populations are the majority. Caldwell-Day came from Detroit, and Watkins is from Chicago.

“It’s all stuff that resonates with us because Chicago and Detroit are two largely Black cities in America that don’t necessarily have the best reputation either,” Caldwell-Day said. “When people say, ‘Detroit’s a murder capital,’ I feel a certain way about that, and I imagine the people from East St. Louis feel the same way. Home is home, and [outsiders] only know what they do from the outside looking in.”

Watkins held a similar sentiment, and said this film may help change the national image of areas like East St. Louis.

“I’m from the south side [of Chicago], specifically, and the south side of Chicago kind of gets the same image that East St. Louis has,” Watkins said. “I want it to be seen as a more positive area, because there’s a lot that’s actually positive there. I mean, they’re all working together to help keep their own community up.”

The use of performing arts to broaden cultural awareness isn’t uncommon in the arts, but was especially integral to this production.

Caldwell-Day said he had a lot of interest in doing projects like this in the future because he wants to help these areas to uplift their public image.

“I’d want to do more of these in the future, and I feel like projects like these are super, super important,” Caldwell-Day said. “Here’s what [the city] really is. Here’s the rich history behind it. Here’s this art and expression that has been inspired by the spirit and soul of that place. ” All three of the short films are available on SIUE Theater and Dance’s YouTube channel, and a showing of all three featuring a live talkback with the artists involved will be streamed there at 6 p.m.

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SIU President Mahony moves closer to SIUE GABRIEL BRADY opinion editor

When SIU System President Dan Mahony was hired, he said he was planning on living nearer to both SIUE and SIUC during his time in office. After his time at SIUC, he has now moved closer to SIUE and begun to spend more time on campus.

Although he recently came to SIUE, Mahony said his plan to live near both campuses had been in the works for a long time — since before he was hired.

“I decided this back in October of 2019 … When I was going through the interview process for this job, there was a lot of discussion about where I would ultimately live,” Mahony said. “It became clear Springfield would be the best place for me to be in the long term, but I wanted to get to know both Carbondale and Edwardsville.”

Mahony said the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed how he has experienced both campuses, but he has still enjoyed

near the SIUC campus, which his time nonetheless.

“I’ve enjoyed being here. I’ve was nice as well, according to had a lot of fun, even if it is some- SIUC Chancellor Austin Lane.

“It is a little bittersweet to say what different than I envisioned it back in October of 2019. But goodbye to him after having him I think I’ve learned a lot, and on campus for so long. He actuit’s just something about being ally got to campus a few months on campus,” Mahony said. “You before myself, and we both got familiar with the have a different feel campus together, for what the life is going on tours of like there.” the campus,” Lane While at SIUE, said. “Yes, we’ll cerMahony said he’s tainly miss him, but prepared to work I know he’ll have more closely with a very nice time SIUE Chancellor at SIUE and we’ll Randy Pembrook — still be in touch.” both figuratively and Lane also said literally. Pembrook he, Pembrook and said since Mahony’s Mahony have many office is near his own, / photo courtesy meetings togethhe sees him fairly ofof University er, so regardless ten.

Marketing and of what campus “Since [MahoCommunications Mahony is on, ny’s] office is in the Chancellor’s Suite, I’ll get to see there is still a connection behim more often in his comings tween the three of them.

“The three of us have and goings. Having him on camZoom meetings, just kind of pus is good,” Pembrook said.

Before he was close to the looking at the state of the uniSIUE campus, Mahony was versity as a whole, at least

weekly,” Lane said. “We’ll obviously still be in contact, but he won’t be around our offices.”

Outside of the SIU system, Mahony said he has worked at many other colleges, but none of them have been quite as large as SIUE. “The one thing that really strikes me, having been at a lot of universities in my life, about eight or nine, as either a student or faculty member, is just the amount of space that Edwardsville has for the campus,” Mahony said. “I’m always overwhelmed, every time I drive around, by just how much acreage there actually is here.”

SIUE’s large campus is something that Pembrook said he is very proud of and happy to show to anyone new to the campus.

“It’s 2,660 acres, which is very unusual in higher [education]. The original architect centralized us in the middle of that with the Quad, and he left a lot of the original timber there,” Pembrook said. “It’s a really beautiful space, and you add things like The Gardens and the park, and

I think it’s all something that we can take for granted at times.”

This large amount of space is scenic and very pretty, according to Mahony, but there is also a practical use for it as well.

“A lot of places, when you try to build a new building, it’s hard to find a place to put it, because there’s no space left,” Mahony said. “Here, there’s just a huge amount of land that’s part of the SIUE campus.”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mahony said his favorite part of being on campus now is getting to be in contact with all of SIUE — faculty, students, staff and everyone in between — a little bit better.

“I’m here in Rendleman Hall, up in the Chancellor’s Office Suite. For the few people on campus, feel free to stop by and say hello,” Mahony said. “People have started to see me on campus, and stop me and say hello and talk, which is good. I enjoy that part, and it’s the part I’ve missed a lot over the last several months.”

BILL I COVER

BY THE NUMBERS

COVID-19 at SIUE

New confirmed positive cases (from

tests conducted by SIUE and self-reporting):

Feb. 26 - March 4: 2 students, 0 faculty/staff Feb. 19 - 25: 6 students, 0 faculty/staff 14-day new positive tests: 8 students, 0 faculty/ staff All prior weeks positive tests (Aug. 1 - Jan. 18): 325 students, 87 faculty/staff Total positive cases: 340 students, 93 faculty/staff

Tests conducted by SIUE

Feb. 26 - March 4: 714 Feb. 19 - 25: 812 14-day new tests conducted: 1526 All prior weeks tests conducted (Aug. 21 - Feb. 18): 8796 Total tests conducted: 9845

Positive cases identified by SIUE testing:

Feb. 26 - March 4: 0 Feb. 19 - 25: 1 14-day new positive cases: 3 All prior weeks positive cases (Aug. 21 - Feb. 11): 372 Total: 375

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Madison County confirmed cases by day

Feb 27

28

March 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Source: Madison County Health Department COVID-19 Dashboard, as of March 7

Percentage of isolation/quarantine space available on campus (as of March 7): 99 percent Source: Health, Reporting, and Testing page on SIUE’s COVID-19 website, as of March 7

COVID-19’S impact on Madison County

All of Illinois’ regions remain under Tier 4 mitigations, which went into effect Feb. 4. These mitigations include the following: - All gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed with this limit subject to change based on latest data & guidance - Travel should follow IDPH and CDC approved guidance - All health care providers are open - P-12 schools, higher education, all summer programs and child care open with IDPH approved safety guidance Source: dph.illinois.gov.

- All outdoor recreation allowed | Summer Bradley / The Alestle

UNION I COVER

makes me question why I am part of the program,” Ouimet said.

Aladeen Stoll, a former TA in the Department of English, said she wrote a letter to the department asking to be released from her contract after reaching a breaking point.

“In the first two months, I realized the stipend wasn’t covering my basic human needs, and I’m someone who lives on very little, on purpose,” Stoll said. “But I wasn’t making it, and I was looking at a next semester where I was going to have to take on another course … so I opted out at that point. And I tried to get help from the faculty, and they wanted to help ... but I was told that because of the union … there was some negotiation period, and so the English professors weren’t being able to help us because of that.”

The Service Employees International Union has been trying to negotiate a new contract on behalf of SIUE TAs with administration since 2019. Ricky Baldwin, senior field organizer for the Service Employees International Union, said the pandemic put a temporary pause on these ne-

gotiations.

“The current status [of the contract] is that we’re still negotiating. We had a break, it’s been more difficult during the coronavirus pandemic because we just haven’t been able to meet in person the way we would have,” Baldwin said. “So there was a significant delay, which was nobody’s fault, we can’t blame the university for that.”

Baldwin said the university has been open to future negotiations, which are set to resume at a time yet to be determined.

“It hasn’t been particularly tense, it hasn’t been an antagonistic relationship — we haven’t always agreed, but that’s natural — we just had this terrible interruption, essentially,” Baldwin said. “I have reached out to the administration recently … about meeting again soon.”

Graduate workers have received an email from Baldwin with a link to sign up as a union member if they have not already done so.

Valerie Vogrin, a professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, said SIUE administration should consider how this low pay may affect their ability to recruit future TAs. “This affects the university in the

sense of … we want [graduate students] to choose SIUE,” Vogrin said. “Ultimately, it impacts our ability to attract students if you can’t offer them [an attractive] compensation package. If a student had a choice between two schools, even in this area, I think that that really hurts the university overall ... I would just say I feel ambivalent about recruiting students myself because of that.”

Baldwin said while some TAs might not even be aware they have a union, it’s increasingly important for them to pay attention as negotiations develop.

“At some point, you’ll be asked to vote on pay and a number of other issues, and the contract is going to cover all teaching assistants at SIUE, whether they decide to be involved or not in the union,” Baldwin said. “So if you think your situation is different than the majority … this is an opportunity to speak up on the front end before things get decided.”

To learn more about the Service Employees International Union, visit their website or call Baldwin at 217-722-3854.

Graduate workers interested in joining can fill out the form included in Baldwin’s email to them.

“So if we have a young woman that’s pregnant and doesn’t feel like she can tell her parents or guardian what’s going on, this law would involve that parent or guardian. I find that kind of interesting and I don’t really see the value in it from a support line,” Theising said. “It’s adding complexity to the situation and perhaps making a situation worse rather than helping the child in need. In my opinion that should be the foremost issue ... helping that child in need I think is most important.”

Junior political science major Sydney McNece from Godfrey, Illinois, said parental notice laws could have particularly damaging effects in violent households.

“A good portion of teens that get pregnant at a young age are from families where they do not feel comfortable to ask for permission — so [they come from] a lot of home violence and things like that.

So it only makes it worse forcing these children to ask for an abortion,” McNece said.

McNece said that often, minors discover their pregnancy later than adults.

“Minors usually find out they’re pregnant a lot later than adults, and that leads to second trimester abortions which are really dangerous,” McNece said. “[Illinois House Bill 1797 is] really proving that there is a lot of data stacking on top of how much better it is for this bill to be passed and it’s just going to [be] better for the safety of a lot of kids in the state of Illinois,” McNece said.

Visit the Illinois General Assembly website for more information on Illinois House Bill 1797.

Abortion has always been a hot button issue in this area.

For photos of previous protests visit www.alestlelive.com

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REVIEW: Spears’ documentary shows it’s time to resist sexism MADISON LAMMERT lifestyles editor

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH:

What’s changed, and what still needs attention a woman as president; although the inauguration of Kamala Harris, for many, has shown this could now be a possibility.

KRISTINA JOHNSON reporter

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women and their accomplishments — but issues surrounding gender roles, the gender pay gap, racial inequities and more still linger.

HIStory of THE PATRIARCHY

women in the workforce Women around the world have historically been a minority class who have been slowly increasing their socioeconomic status.

For example, Director of Women’s Studies Carolina Rocha said women in the Latin American cinema industry are trying to climb the ladder into more director positions after years of production work.

“Historical films have predominantly been done by male directors, so in theory we should take a look at how history and gender intersect,” Rocha said.

“What happens when women revisit the past in film?”

Rocha said what women face in the U.S. is similar to what women in Latin America face: lack of access to higher education. But the addition of women in government positions for some Latin American countries has lead to new laws being passed, providing flickers of hope.

“In a way, having women at the very top of the government [has] broken some ceilings,” Rocha said. “Argentina recent-

Top: Treasurer of the City of St. Louis — and now mayoral candidate — Tishaura Jones was one of many speakers at a May 21, 2019 #stopthebans rally. The rally protested Missouri House Bill 126, which was signed by Gov. Mike Parson just days later. | Spencer Peck / The Alestle. Bottom: In Fall 2020, athletes gathered for Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s March for Racial Justice. Women have been influential in many U.S. social justice movements. | Mackenzie Smith / The Alestle

ly passed a [safe] abortion law that they tried for several years to have [made into] law. It is still very controversial, but this is something that was unthinkable 20 years ago.”

Access to abortions has been a topic of debate in the U.S. Some states have imposed bans under specific instances, while others, such as New York, Vermont and Hawaii, have expanded their abortion laws to protect what Roe v. Wade declared a fundamental women’s right.

According to UN Women, only 30 percent of women hold a job in research positions in nat-

ural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

These numbers are estimated to continue to grow, as the Postsecondary National Policy Institute said the number of women enrolled in higher education has consistently outnumbered their male counterparts since 2000.

In 2020, there were 21 women who held the head of state or government positions in 193 countries around the world, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. The U.S. is one of the countries that hasn’t had

Representation of women as a minority dates back to the ancient world. History Department Chair Allison Thomason focuses her research around the field of ancient history and Mesopotamia. She said the ancient world worked in a patriarchal society.

Elements of this are present in our society today.

“Men were typically the first choice when it came to inheriting land, which was the main way to acquire wealth and status,” Thomason said. “It was a society based on a monarchy, kings, so the default was always a man to rule, but there are exceptions.”

Although in ancient societies men held the top governmental positions, Thomason said this didn’t exclude women from owning land. The ownership of land was regarded as being one of wealth and high societal status.

INTERSECTIONS OF ACTIVISM Musicology Professor at Miami University Tammy Kernodle said Black women that are musicians have used their platforms in the past and present as a way to see HISTORY on page 8

With their seemingly glamorous lives, it’s often hard to see ourselves in celebrities. But “Framing Britney Spears” reminds us that celebrities are not immune to sexism, and viewers who were socialized as women may find many parts of the program unexpectedly relatable.

Spears’ circumstances seem extraordinary. Spears’ father became her legal conservator after her infamous mental health breaks (which tabloids never let us forget). Most of us do not (legally) have a man controlling our financial affairs, career choices and more. So how can we possibly relate to Spears?

Like many of us who were socialized as women, Spears experienced sexualization from a young age. The program shows one particular moment that sparked outrage: When she was just 10, she appeared on Star Search. The host, Ed McMahon, told Spears she had “the most adorable, pretty eyes” and asked if she had a boyfriend. Of course, she responds, “No.” Even though this young kid is clearly uncomfortable, McMahon presses on, asking, “Why not?”

Seeing this reminded me of when I was around her age in Home Depot with my mom.

This random middle-aged man told my mom she “better watch out” when I get older because “all the boys” would be coming around for “those curls.” He was referring to my hair. I’m willing to bet every person socialized as a female has experienced unwanted attention at a young age, just like Spears and I did.

Yet, when girls age and become aware of their sexuality, they are constantly scrutinized for it.

One interviewer said her appearance is so contradictory as she embodies this “virginal type,” yet she appears on the red carpet as a “sexy vamp in underwear.” Hayley Hill, her former stylist, said those questions were never asked to her male clients.

Spears reportedly said “I don’t want anyone touching me.

I’m tired of everybody touching me” as the reason she shaved her head during her “unraveling.”

Given her explanation, we cannot help but tie this decision to her not wanting to be under constant sexual scrutiny. If she desexualized herself, she thought she would be left alone. Instead, it propelled more attention. see SPEARS on page 8 CORRECTION: In the March 4 edition of The Alestle, the article “Nap pods provide new way to relax on study breaks” presented nap pods as red, egg-shaped chairs. These are not the nap pods. An image of an actual nap pod can be found at alestlelive.com.

thursday, 03.11.21

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page 5

PROGRESS & REGRESSION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS In 1932, Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to ever fly from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland alone in 1935.

1935:

July 1848:

The Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in the U.S., is held.

Feb. 1890:

The National American Woman Suffrage Association is formed.

April 1917: Jeannette

Rankin is sworn in as the first woman elected to Congress as a member of the House of Representatives DOMA was signed just months after the Romer v. Evans decision, in which the Supreme Court ruled it’s unconstitutional for states to deny gay, lesbian and bisexual people discrimination protection.

Sept. 1996:

DA DT

19th Amendment gives white and Black women the right to vote under the Constitution.

However, many Black women faced harassment, therefore preventing them from voting.

Jan. 2013:

: June 2015 Month

Just as Pride comes to a close, the Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage is a legal right in all states.

July 2015:

Voting Rights Act, which enacted provisions aimed at helping African Americans and Native Americans overcome barriers to voting such as literacy tests, is signed into law.

June 1972:

WE ARE PEOPLE TOO!

: Dec. 2015 ins

Aug. 1965: The

March 1972:

inate “on the basis of sex” and must establish clear procedures for handling instances of sexual violence.

Many states still differentiate between marital rape and non-marital rape, which not only makes cases of marital rape harder to prosecute, but also imposes lesser sentences on those who rape their spouse.

Tammy Baldwin (D-Wi.) is sworn in as the first openly gay U.S. senator in history.

In Griswold v.

Connecticut, the Supreme Court rules birth control should be legal for married women.

The Equal Rights Amendment fails to be ratified, as it needed of ¾ of all 50 support J a n .

1993: In Roe 1973: amendThe states. v. W All sta Suprem ade, the ment was first sent to tes ha e Cou ve now w rt fin Congress in 1923. wome ithdraw Thenn have a ds President Richard Nixon the “m n It still has yet to arital r constit utiona ape excep signs Title IX. Under Title l tion.” r ig to abo ht IX, schools that receive fed- be ratified. rtion. eral funding may not discrim-

Aug. 2009:

Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in as the first woman of color to serve in the Supreme Court

June 1965:

Literacy tests, threats, violence, poll taxes and other forms of voter suppression made it so just because some were legally granted the right to vote, they could not always make it to the polls.

Then-President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act into law. DOMA defined marriage as only between a man and a Then woman for purposes of federal law. It Presid e also made it so no state would have signs “ nt Bill Clinto D Tell” in on’t Ask D n to recognize a same-gender o repeale to law. It wa n’t marriage if the union was s d in S 2011. eptem held in a differber ent state.

Oct. 1993:

15-year-old Claudette Colvin

All Puerto refuses to give up her seat Rican women on a bus for a white person. Nine months later, are granted the right to vote. Only Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on 1962: literate Puerto Rican an Alabama bus.

Utah women could vote bebecomes the ginning in 1929. last state to guarantee full voting rights for Native Aug. 1920: Americans.

The passage of the

Dec.1869:

The territory of Wyoming grants women the right to vote and hold political office. Wyoming gained statehood in 1890, becoming the first state where women could vote.

March 1955:

July 2016:

Hillary Clinton is tary beg nominated as the mili The The Pentagon anletting women serve Democratic nominounced the liftin front-line combat nee for president. ing of the trans roles, even though She is the first womto military nominated for wed an allo e they wer president by a major ban. serve under the 1948 political party.

Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.

Sourced from: History.com, nps.gov, biography.com, plannedparenthoodaction.com, raain.org, criminaldefenselawyer.com, britannica.com, clinton.presidentiallibraries.us, upi.com, npr.org, washingtonpost.com, theguardian.com, bbc.com, Wade and Marx Ferree’s “Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions”

NO!

Jan. 2017: Oct. 2017:

Women’s March is the largest single-day protest in U.S. history, happening on Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.

Jan. 2018:

Jan. 2021:

Kamala Harris becomes

Actress Alyssa Milano Danica Roem the first female vice president of the U.S. mentions “Me Too” in (D- Va.) is Also in January, President a tweet, which quickly Joe Biden lifts the trans goes viral even though sworn in as the first open- military ban enacted by activist Tarana Burke the Trump administration, first coined the term in ly trans state which was implemented 2006. legislator. in April 2019.

Research compiled by Madison Lammert, Lifestyles Editor Graphic designed by Summer Bradley, Graphics Manager

opinion

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Precautions only work when enforced on everybody THE ALESTLE STAFF editorial board

Earlier this semester, we published a staff editorial urging each individual on campus to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, not everybody seems to have gotten the memo.

Recently, we’ve been running into campus employees who are either not wearing their masks correctly or not wearing them at all, instead substituting a mask with a clear face shield. We understand this can be a difficult accommodation for some. However, when we saw a class instructor wearing a face shield upside down, it became clear SIUE is not providing necessary discipline or training regarding pandemic safety. It’s important to note the CDC says a face shield is not an alternative to a multi-layered

mask.

“Face shields are not as effective at protecting you or the people around you from respiratory droplets,” the CDC’s website said. “Face shields have large gaps below and alongside the face, where your respiratory droplets may escape and reach others around you and will not protect you from respiratory droplets from others.”

The CDC could not have made it any clearer. Yet, SIUE’s COVID-19 Policies and Procedures webpage goes against this; it constantly refers to the need for “face masks OR face shields.” If following the CDC’s advice, the university should state that clear face shields should only be used by those granted that particular accommodation, or in conjunction with a face mask.

Masks should be worn covering one’s nose and mouth unless

actively eating or drinking, and when social distancing is not possible. By this point, it is hard to believe this is not common sense, especially among university employees. When in cafeteria lines, we never hear employees telling patrons to social distance. We see employees walking up and down hallways with their masks only covering their mouths. As stated before, our staff has even seen faculty wearing face shields upside down, like a shirt collar, with no actual face covering.

Still, some of our staffers have been told to wear a mask in a study room, even though they were the only person in the room.

In the library, one of our staffers was told they could not sit next to their friend, even though they were both properly masked and needed to see the computer screen to work on a project. Which is understandable; a six-foot distance

was not maintained there. In the study room situation, one could argue that over six feet and four walls separated the student from any other individual. Yet, we can see how one may consider study rooms as “related academic areas” which SIUE’s policy clearly states face coverings need to be worn in.

In the case of a global pandemic, implementation of policy is beyond important. Not enforcing policy to the fullest extent — or enforcing policy that is not strict enough — is a matter of life or death. Administration and all others who supervise campus employees must step up and hold their employees accountable. It’s time for the policymakers to rethink problematic policies, abide by the CDC’s advice in full and if it’s a case where one must make accommodations to wear a clear face shield, be more specific in the policies’ wording.

der caused by no fault of one’s own. There are many factors that contribute to addiction; some use to self-medicate an untreated mental illness, others due to being exposed to drug usage early in life. Multiple studies have also determined that addiction is likely genetic.

America needs to focus on harm reduction, which aims to eliminate the hazards that come with drug use. A step that would be easy to implement is a needle exchange program. People can exchange used needles for clean ones, which keeps both addicts and communities safe by decreasing the amount of used needles in public areas.

Addicts need to be treated as people, not criminals. They do not need your judgment because they already judge themselves enough.

Instead of constantly asking when they’re going to get clean we should do what we can to take care of them in that moment. As someone who has known many

addicts, people aren’t going to get help until they are ready to do so themselves.

Other countries have experienced success by establishing safe consumption sites where people can use drugs they already possess under the supervision of trained staff. They ensure sanitary drug use and have rules against sharing or dealing and can intervene if an overdose occurs. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, some of these facilities also connect addicts with healthcare, shelter, food, counseling and crisis intervention.

These facilities wouldn’t be possible in America without an agreement with law enforcement to not arrest anyone or the decriminalization of drug possession for personal use. In the decade since Portugal decriminalized drug use, the number of addicts has decreased by half and there are now only 30 overdoses a year, according to the Canadian Broad-

casting Corporation. There’s plenty of justification for decriminalization considering how the prosecution of drug possession has been used to uphold systemic racism in America.

Oregon has recently taken a step in the right direction by passing Ballot Measure 110 in the 2020 election. The measure decriminalized the possession of small amounts of hard drugs beginning Feb. 1. Instead of jail time, people possessing drugs could face a $100 fine or a health assessment and addiction treatment. I disagree with the fine because it could continue to perpetuate inequality, but progress is progress.

Changing the way we think about addiction as a society and seeking guidance from other countries will lead to new measures being considered and implemented in the justice system and social programs. Addicts need our compassion — it could save their lives.

Treat addiction as a health issue, not a moral failure ALEX AULTMAN editor-in-chief

Drug addiction is one of the first things that comes to mind when people think of crime and deviance, but that ignores the significant amount of evidence that lack of proper social and justice system programs cause it.

According to Pew Trusts, about two-thirds of incarcerated people in America are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Few receive treatment for their addictions while in jail and upon release they are thrown back into the same environment they were using drugs in. Now, they have the added stigma of being formerly incarcerated.

Due to the rate of recidivism, a person committing the same offense, it’s clear this approach doesn’t work. Rather than deterring drug use, punishment just makes it more difficult for addicts to get help.

This method of punishment also doesn’t recognize addiction for what it is — a medical disor-

sports

contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 thursday, 03.11.21

READ ONLINE: BASEBALL TAKES SERIES AGAINST SOUTH DAKOTA STATE page 7

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Men’s basketball player emulates late father on and off court MADISON LAMMERT lifestyles editor

With just under 30 seconds left in what became the Cougars’ final game of the season, senior walk-on guard Jackson Best got his chance to trade the bench for the court. Best made his appearance just weeks after his father died of COVID-19.

Jackson said he learned the perseverance necessary to make it on the court from his father, John Best. Just as Jackson worked his way onto the team, John moved up in his job as a contract lawyer.

“He got pretty high up in Mears Group, which is where he was working at … and it doesn’t happen overnight, you have to keep at it, keep at it, keep at it,” Jackson said. “My background is I wasn’t gifted in being extremely athletic and I had to work at it more than most people. I had to spend lots and lots of hours playing a sport where … being taller and being athletic is a humongous advantage. I’m 5’9”, I’m 160 pounds, so I had to build up my craft more than somebody who is 7 feet tall.”

When John Best was not devoting his attention to Mears, he was preparing and giving sermons. John pastored three churches in different small towns.

“I would say I get a lot of my motivation and drive to work hard because I saw how hard [my dad] worked,” Jackson said.

“He pastored three churches, and those churches were an hour and a half away. So he would have to wake up at the crack of dawn, drive over, pastor three churches and drive back all on his day off of work ... Never once did I ever hear him ever complain about working too much, or [give] an excuse of why he might be exhausted or not want to do anything.”

Yet, despite his many commitments, John still made regular appearances at Jackson’s games.

“He was always [in the stands], and looking back at it, [I] see how busy he was, and how he probably would have liked to just sit down for a little bit,” Jackson said. “But … that never occurred to him because all he wanted to do was support me. He wouldn’t miss those games for the world because, even if I got in for one second, that would mean the world to him.”

Head Coach Brian Barone said John’s unwavering support of his son’s passion — even though

Jackson would not play in every game — was a testament to John’s character.

“It speaks to Jackson’s dad; it speaks to the kind of man he was,” Barone said. “I think it’s huge to have a parent that wants to support a young man’s or daughter’s passion and not have any biases or selfishness by saying, ‘I want my son in there 40 minutes a game.’

He just wanted to see his son happy, and it speaks a ton about the kind of man that John was — and I can tell because that’s the kind of young man that Jackson is, he’s all-giving of himself.”

On March 3, during the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, Jackson got his chance to play. He finished out the last 26 seconds of the game and the Cougars’ season.

A special tribute: Cougars wore shirts for John Best

Three days after John’s death, the Cougars returned to competition. Even though Jackson was in Edwardsville and his teammates were over five hours away preparing for their first game in over a month, the team still found a way to support the Best family. “[Barone] texted me saying, ‘Hey, we wanted to wear these shirts in honor of your dad and his initials J-P-P would be on the heart … Is that cool with you?’ and my thoughts were like, ‘That would be awesome! I’d love to see that,’ because my dad was one of those people that was always giving to others, but nobody really appreciated him as much as he should have been. It meant a lot to me and my family,” Jackson said.

The team wore the shirts while warming up for their game against Tennessee State. Barone, the rest of the coaches and the players on the sidelines also donned them during the game.

Despite not facing another team in the previous 33 days and not having even one full-team practice in that time period, the Cougars pulled a 67-65 win.

Shortly after, Best received a text from freshman forward Michael Matas.

“That win was for your dad, Jackson,” Matas wrote.

This sentiment was echoed

by Barone in the locker room.

“After the game, I was talking to the team and I … got choked up because I said, ‘We’ve been hit as hard as anybody, and this has

week in review MEN’S SOCCER

Men’s Soccer began Mid-American Conference play with a 2-1 victory over Western Michigan. The team remains undefeated this season with a 4-0 overall record.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

At women’s soccer’s home opener, the team took a 3-2 win against Austin Peay. The team then shut out Eastern Illinois, ending the game with a final score of 7-0.

really come [more] close to home than most any team has had to experience. Not only were we missing games, we actually had one of our family members lose their father,’” Barone said.

“It was really neat to call Jackson after that game and let him know that he was part of Jackson Best celebrates his high school graduation that win.” with his father John Best, who died earlier this year as For Bar- a result of COVID-19. one, the idea | Photo courtesy of Jackson Best to honor John in the form of a shirt came “He was always someone that was naturally. Around the time Barone willing to say, ‘How are you docame to SIUE, his father died of ing, coach?’ or willing to say, ‘My lung cancer. To honor him, Bar- family is praying for [you].’ My one wore one of his dad’s favorite team was phenomenal throughshirts — an eclectic, multi-colored out my time, and Jackson definiteshort-sleeve button-up — during ly was one of the guys willing to a game against Northwestern Illi- share his thoughts with me.” nois University on Dec. 15, 2019.

His strong faith is another However, Barone said he want- attribute Jackson said he learned ed to give his players a chance to from his father. John and his wife honor their loved ones as well.

Judith met in seminary school and “I didn’t want to make that raised Jackson and his brother to Northwestern game solely about be religious. Jackson said John my father, and I explained to helped him navigate his faith jourthe team I wanted to wear this ney. shirt … to make my mom smile “I was having doubts about and represent my dad and honor my faith and having questions, him,” Barone said. “As I said that, and I felt I should just get it. Like, I came up with the idea of, ‘Let’s ‘Jackson, you have parents who make another shirt [for] that same are pastors, if you don’t undergame where they wear their family stand and you don’t get it commembers’ names on their shoot- pletely, then who is going to?’” ing shirt.’ So, that’s kind of how Jackson said. “So I was embarthe idea of the shirt came along rassed of asking questions, but initially. This year, I basically stole when I did, it was just amazing that same idea and said, ‘Let’s all because he had great insight and wear this and honor John,’ and he was so faithful. That was his then we had a shirt made with his favorite pastime — studying the initials on it.”

Bible — and he knew scripture so well. It’s really crazy how much he knew, but looking at the way he ‘A man of faith’: lived, that’s the biggest inspiration Jackson carries on right there.” dad’s religious devotion Between his faith, dedication Barone said Jackson and his and devotion to the team, Barone teammates were incredibly sup- said he is confident John would be portive of him throughout his proud of his son.

“I know John would be grieving process, and he is glad he proud of Jackson,” Barone said. “I can be there for Jackson.

“I know his prayers were sent think his attributes are hard-workmy way in times of need, and I ing, just like John was; giving, just definitely want to reciprocate and like John was; and supportive, just continue to do so,” Barone said. like John was.”

TENNIS

SIUE took down Saint Louis University in a 5-2 victory. Four Cougars won in singles, including freshman Jordan Schifano, who remains undefeated in singles play.

GOLF

The Cougars finished sixth of nine teams at South Dakota State’s Jackrabbit Invitational, finishing with a combined 898 strokes for the event.

SIUE Standings MEN’S SOCCER

OVERALL MAC

West Virginia Akron SIUE Western Michigan Bowling Green Northern Illinois

2-0 2-0-1 3-0 1-0 2-3 1-3-1

1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1

WOMEN’S SOCCER

OVERALL OVC

SIUE Murray State Tennessee Tech SEMO UT Martin Belmont Austin Peay Eastern Illinois Eastern Kentucky Jacksonville State Morehead State

3-0 3-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 1-2 1-2 1-2 0-2 0-3 0-3

3-0 3-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 1-2 1-2 1-2 0-2 0-3 0-3

SOFTBALL

OVERALL OVC

Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Tennessee Tech SEMO Murray State Jacksonville State UT Martin Austin Peay Belmont Tennessee State Morehead State SIUE

10-3 10-4 8-7 4-9 5-12 3-9 7-4 6-4 4-6 4-7 3-7 0-8

3-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-2 1-2 1-2 0-3 0-3 0-3

BASEBALL

OVERALL OVC

Eastern Illinois SIUE Jacksonville State Morehead State SEMO Tennessee Tech Murray State UT Martin Belmont Eastern Kentucky Austin Peay

8-5 5-4 5-6 5-6 5-6 3-4 5-7 4-6 3-5 4-7 2-8

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

WOMEN’S TENNIS

OVERALL OVC

Austin Peay SIUE SEMO Jacksonville State Belmont Murray State Eastern Illinois Tennessee State UT Martin

4-1 6-3 6-4 5-5 2-4 2-6 1-6 0-0 0-6

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

VOLLEYBALL

OVERALL OVC

Jacksonville State Morehead State Austin Peay SEMO SIUE UT Martin Murray State Tennessee Tech Eastern Kentucky Belmont Eastern Illinois Tennessee State

10-0 10-0 8-2 8-2 6-4 5-5 4-6 4-6 2-8 1-9 1-9 1-9

10-0 10-0 8-2 8-2 6-4 5-5 4-6 4-6 2-8 1-9 1-9 1-9

SOFTBALL

Softball lost in three games against Eastern Kentucky.

The team took a 7-2 loss in the first game of the series and then closer losses in the next two, ending 3-1 and 4-2.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball won twice against Eastern Kentucky, finishing 3-0 on Sunday and 3-2 on Monday. This brings the team’s season record to 6-4.

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HISTORY I page 4

raise awareness for women and the racial justice movement. “[Farah Griffin] outlines how the spectacle and the voice of the singing Black woman has been ‘used to suggest a peaceful, interracial version in America,’” Kernodle said. “This singing spectacle offers an alternative vision of a more inclusive America.”

Kernodle said this idea of how Black women in music have been looked at as peacemakers has been seen in many well-known artists, such as Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill. She specifically cited the song “We Gotta Pray” by Keys, which came out to protest police brutality against Black people.

“This decision sparked protests throughout the country and in the aftermath of Eric Garner’s

SPEARS I page 4

A “Free Britney” activist found the same to be true when she followed Spears’ lead for the same reason.

“Hey, I shaved my hair off too because I didn’t want nobody touching me,” the activist said at a rally. “And they still didn’t get it!”

More of society’s all-too-familiar double standards are present in coverage of Spears’ and Justin Timberlake’s breakup.

thursday, 03.11.21

death, activists and musicians took to social media [beginning] to call for musicians to use their voices as a beacon of social change,” Kernodle said.

Thomason said around the world the historical issue of gender and race has pressed into today’s world.

“In the U.S., the intersectionality of race and gender is really significant and deserves a lot of questioning, interrogation and consideration,” Thomason said. “Especially when it comes to the unique history of the U.S.” Thomason is referring to the millions of Africans who were shipped to the New World between the 1500s and 1800s.

Although her research doesn’t lie within U.S. history, she said the study of gender and race in the U.S. is unique because of this specific portion of history.

#SayHerName came to social media in 2014 to protest violence against Black women by police officers. The campaign started to spread awareness for Black women who are harassed, injured and killed by police officers. Since 2015, 48 Black women have been killed by the police and only two charges were brought up, a New York Times article said.

“I think we need to go a little beyond what looks good on paper. There are so many challenges that we as a society face,” Rocha said. “For instance, we have to remember the case of Breonna Taylor. When we know about those cases, and if we see them as problems, there are solutions.”

In the span of nine days this summer, six Black trans women were found dead, Them, a publication devoted to reporting through an LGBTQ+ lens, said.

The Human Rights Campaign reported at least 25 trans individuals were killed: 91 percent being Black women and 81 percent being less than 30 years old.

Throughout Women’s History Month, and the rest of the year, Thomason said we need to introduce young people to role models and struggles they may still face when they go out in the world.

“Introduce them to [the] barriers that have been put up for women, and again, it’s not just about gender here,” Thomason said. “There are all sorts of other issues that many genders face. I think the earlier you can introduce young people to these aspects of contemporary culture, the better.”

For information about SIUE’s Women’s History Month events, visit SIUE’s Women’s Studies website.

She’s seen as a “slut” who did something wrong, yet Timberlake is celebrated for getting laid.

When she had her kids, she was always seen as an “unfit mother.”

When was her ex-husband ever called a bad dad? Never.

As people who present as women, we often have to fight for our wishes to be taken seriously. Spears states countless times, even publicly on a reality TV show, that she doesn’t want Jamie Spears to be her conservator. Yet, she is ignored over

and over again, both among her family and by the courts. Reasons like this are why so many rapes go unreported, why stalking is so prevalent in our society and more.

“Framing Britney Spears” reminds us that not even the most famous of us are immune from the harmful impacts of America’s culture of sexism and misogyny.

Please watch “Framing Britney Spears,” and remember these important conversations cannot be confined to just 1 hour, 14 min-

utes. It shouldn’t be reserved for Women’s History Month either.

The resistance is ongoing, so whether it’s for Britney, yourself or your kids, it’s time to join the fight.

For further reflection and for tips on how to resist everyday sexism, NPR’s TED Radio Hour Series “Gender, Power and Fairness” is a great starting point. To learn about large-scale, intersectional change and how you can help, visit the National Organization for Women’s website.